Sunrise

Someone slips a tray

through the slot in my door

Not food

but close enough

A rolled-up towel, toothpaste

a small bar of soap, a toothbrush

and a pair of black flip-flops

SlowSlowSlowly

I do what I’m supposed to do

The things that make me

still human

The door opens

It’s a lady officer

Good morning!

ShowerBreakfast

in the mess hall

Meeting with your officer

and the social worker

Then you start your program

she says

image

She wears makeup

Glitter eyeshadow

and shiny lips

Her braids are pulled back

like Dionne’slike Zenobia’s

She smiles

and something warm rises

in my belly

in that broken place

like sunshine, maybe